Rain was the main protagonist on the second day of Shakedown practice at the Sepang International Circuit. The official test riders and rookie Augusto Fernández (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) had to wait until the last minute to run relatively dry in a session once again led by Cal Crutchlow when the track was dry enough to set some times with slick tires before the checkered flag.
YAMAHA
Time changed Yamaha’s plans. Cal Crutchlow was once again the only Iwata factory driver to run on smooth tiresbut the rain caused his test plan for the 2022-2023 engine specification to be “wasted”, according to Maio Meregalli, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Manager, who kept a close eye on the Yamaha pit.
DUCATI
Having a new aero package on Sunday, Ducati’s Michele Pirro raced the standard aero setup on Monday. The two Italian bikes have different versions of the rear exhaust, big and short, so the rain in the office was not wasted for the reigning World Champions.
KTM
Worked in the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing garage with Jack Miller on the first day of action, Dani Pedrosa completed the day on Monday with Brad Binder’s team, because KTM’s main goal for the Shakedown was to compare different engine specs. Jonas Folger rejoined Pedrosa on track for his second day of testing activity.
SCRATCH
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider Augusto Fernández continues to find his place on a MotoGP bike and, unlike most, the Spaniard wasn’t too happy about getting his first dose of wet riding in the RC16. The reigning Moto2 World Champion set a time of 2:12.255 in the difficult conditions, a time that allowed him to move up to P2 before the track started to dry out, before moving up to P3 when he started on the slick tyres.
APRILIA
“We have something innovative in the front fairing” is the mysterious message of Paolo Bonora, Aprilia Racing Team Manager. Speaking to motogp.com, Bonora also explained how the Noale factory aero was “redesigned” after “taking advantage of time in the wind tunnel over the winter”.
SLING
Test driver Stefan Bradl was spotted trying out the updated chassis that German was seen racing in a private test at Jerez recently. Also, as on Sunday, HRC’s new Technical Director, Ken Kawauchi, was inside the box familiarizing himself with his new surroundings.
This Tuesday the Shakedown concludes with the third and final day, before the Official Test where the full grid will be taken to the track from February 10 to 12.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
